Method of making die units and component parts thereof



June 20,1939; v(1Km- BEL y i2,163,229

METHOD OF MAKING DI UNITS AND COMPONENT PARTS THEREOF June 20, 1939. o. KNEBEL METHOD oF MAKING un: um'rs 'AND COMPONENT rAR'x-s THEREOF Filed Dec. 4,` 19:56

2 Shee'cs-SheefI 2 INVENTQR fcar Knebel,

A'rr- Patented June 20, 1939 'UNITED STATES.

METIOD OF MKING DIE UNITS AND COMPONENT vPARTS THEREOF Oscar Knebel, Fairield, Conn., assigner to Daniel J. Williams, Bridgeport, Conn.-

Application December 4, 1936, serial N6. 114,116

11 Claims. (Cl. 'Pl-62) 'I'his invention relates to the making of die-sets.

The improvement which it is the aim of the invention to provide is a practicable method whereby different sets of punch anddie tools can be interchangeably used with any one die-set or with any one of several like die-sets.

A die-set, or subpress, as it is sometimes called, comprises a die-shoe or mounting plate for the die tool or die-block, a punch carrier or mounting plate for the complementary tool or punch, and connecting means for the plates whereby when the-die-set is inserted in a punch press the punch tool performs its Working strokes relative to the l die opening in the die-block exactly as though the 4punch and die tools were respectively secured to the ram and the bed of the punch press.

It has heretofore been the custom to provide a separate die-set for leach different set of punch and die tools. This has made the investment for die-sets a large one; but, on the other hand, once any set of tools isy properly adjusted and secured on the mounting plates of the die-set provided permanently to carry the same, which task has to be performed'by that skilled and highly paid specialist known as a die-setter, the costly time of th'e die-setter need never again be called on for the resetting in a die-set of a set of tools different from the set previously-secured in that die-set. As is well known in the art, the adjustment of a pair of die units relative to each other so that during action of the punch press these units will perfectly cooperate with each other, and without any danger of chipping, cracking or other injury, and the Securement of these die units in precisely their thus adjusted relation to their mounting plates, together constitute atask, dimcult and time-consuming in any event, which is capable of being performed only by a die-setter of long experience and special aptitude for the work.

According to the present invention, there is provided a novel and valuable method and apparatus or system, whereby one or a plurality or die-sets, and aplurality ofI sets of diierent die units, can be made, and made in lsuch manner that any selected set of die units can be secured in any selected die-set, readily and quickly, and 'by any workman available, but always withv the assurance that the two die units thus inserted in 'the die-set will cooperate exactly as though they were tted to the die-set by the usual laborious and prolonged `work of the die-setter.

In carrying out the invention, one or more diesets are provided each incorporating mounting' means for the die units including holes in the mounting plates of the die-sets. Also, each set of die units is provided with mounting holes of predetermined character and -relative positions, and these holes in each die unit are of the same character and relative positions as the holes in o the die-set mounting plate appointed to carry that die unit. The required agreement between the holes in any set of die units and those in the mounting plates of any die-set is obtained by utilizing a device which is a master drill-jig for insuring that each die unitis drilled with holes of the same character and relative positions as those carried by the die-set mounting plate appointed to carry that die unit, and which master drill-jig is at the same time a duplicate of a dieset to the extent that the drill-jig includes two mounting plates' one for each of the members of a pair of die units, these plates are movable one toward the other exactly as the mounting plates of a die-set are moved when operated by a punch press, and these plates carry securing means for their respective die units whereby the die units can be clamped in place in the drill-jig, before the latter is used as such, but as soon as the die units are properly adjusted in the drill-jig by a die-setter employing exactly the, same procedure he would employ were the die units being ad'- justed by him for permanent mountingl in an actual die-set.

The use of drill-jigs, in an attempt to provide die units for ready interchangeability relative to a so-called universal die-set, is not new, but, as will now be explained more in detail, the present invention allows the making of die units for use with any one of a plurality of die-sets by a method which consists in immovably securing one die unit in predetermined position on a masterjig; adjustably seeming' the other die unit on the master jig in working relation to the first die unit; maintaining the two units in said relation while reciprocating them to and from operating position; readjusting the second die unit toward flnal working alignment with the rst die unit as many times as required, and with 'as many intervening reciprocations to and from operating position as'desired, each such reciprocation to test for alignment and where augment is still lacking to point out the direction Vand degree of misalignment; and then, when perfect alignment set, and, conversely, a trial-stroke die-set which is adapted to act as a master drill-jig. A salient characteristic of this composite device is that it incorporates not only means whereby it is possible to adjust and readjust a set of die umts relative to each other, exactly as they are now adjusted and readjusted in a die-set, until finally they are in the precise adjustment they would have were their adjustment being performed With the die units in an actual die-set, but also means whereby the attaininent of this adjustment between the die units can be permanently and completely recorded in the die units.v This recording is made before the die'units are removed from the composite device, by employing the latter as a master drill-jig, and in such manner as to insure absolutely that after-the die umts have been'removed from the composite device, reestablishment of said adjustment must automatically occur when the die units are mounted on any die-set the mounting plates of which have holes corresponding with those holes of the composite device which constitute the latter a master drill-jig.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein an apparatus and devices facilitative of a carrying out of the invention in the waynow preferred are illustrated:

Figure 1 is an elevational view showing a set of die units as finished by the tool-maker, these umts being shown spaced apart but in working relation, with the punch tool the upper one, as is Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing the same units in the same relation, but with the lower unit, the die-block now in a condition such that, although hardened, it can be subjected to a drilling operation ,to give the same the required mounting holes.

Fig. 3 is a view showing the lower die unit, or die-block, in top plan, and is also, more or less diagrammatically, a composite top plan View showing in dot-and-dash lines various identifying outlines of a conventional die-set and a preferred form of drill-jig, as though these devices were superimposed with the mounting holes of the former and the corresponding holes of the latter aligned with each other and with the mounting holes of both die units where, as is preferable, both die umts have identical and identically placed mounting holes.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view, partially in v section, of a die-set such as indicated in Fig. 3, and showing the die units of Fig. 2 finally secured properly in place in said die-set.

Fig. 5 is a side elevationallview, on a somewhat larger scale than that of Fig. 3, of the preferred form of drill-jig indicated in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of said drill-jig. Fig'. 7 is a top plan view of the lower mounting plate or die-shoe of the drilhjig, after removal of the Itop mounting plateV or punch tool carrier.

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view, taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is a similar view, taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 5.

Fig..10 is also a detail sectional view, taken .on the line lll-I0 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 5, but on a smaller scale, and showing the drill-jig being used a's such for the drilling of the mounting holes in the punch tool. v

Fig. 12 is a view corresponding to Fig. 11, but with the drill-Jig turned upside down and showaieaase jig which is adapted to act as a trial-stroke dieing the same being used as such for the drilling of the mounting holes in the die-block.

According to the present invention, one or more die-sets, each for instance of the pillar-type shown in Fig. 4, are provided. There are also provided a plurality of sets of die umts, for interchangeable use with said die-set of any one of a plurality'thereof, so that, where a plurality of die-sets is provided, anyone of several die-sets,

also, is adapted for interchangeable use relative.

-to a set of die units.

A duplex umversal system is thus provided, whereby any one of a plurality of different sets of die umts can be used in any one of a plurality of die-sets.

In order to describe the invention as clearly and as briefly as possible, it will be assumed for the purposes of the following description that the interchangeabiiity of the different sets of die units will be in regard to one die-set only.

A typical set of die units is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. Here a punch tool I5 is shown as comprising, in accordance with ordinary practice, a punch proper lia, and a punch pad lib ot some easily drillable material such as cold rolled steel and to which the punch proper lia is secured as indicated at I6 after the punch proper is nished by the tool-maker and hardened. 'I'he complementary die unit is shown as the usual die-block I 1. This die-block is provided by the tool-maker with the proper die opening to match the punch proper I5a, and then it is ground, hardened, and prepared for the drilling therein of the required mounting holes.

As the set of die umts is shown in Fig. 1, the die-block I1 has four corner holes bored therethrough, two of which are indicated at Ila, and, as shown, these holes are also broached. According to what has been found to be a very practicable way of performing the preliminary steps in carrying out the invention, the punch pad is formed to the required shape, as is also the dieblock, before these components are furnished to the tool-maker. As shown, these parts are each of the same length and width as the other. Also, they both have plane and parallel opposite surfaces. The die-block has side edges perpendicular to each other and perpendicular to its upper and lower' surfaces whereby absolutely .true and square corners are provided at the four meeting points of said side edges and Vopposite surfaces. The die-block when received by the tool-maker is further provided with the breached holes I 1a at said four corners.

When the tool-maker has made the proper die opemng in the die-block, and the latter has been hardened, the corners of the die-block are preferably heated to a blue heat so as sufficiently to anneal the corners of the die-block to avoid crackling across the die-block material between the holes Hq and the adjacent side edges of the dieblock during actual service of the latter in a punch press, and after this, bushings or plugs Il of bronze or the like are forced tight into the holes In Figs. 2 and 3 these plugs Il are shown in place in the die-block; the die opemng in the dieblock, conforming with the shape of the punch proper lia, being indicated at l 1b. The utility of the bronze plugs i8 is that they adequately solve the problem of how to avoid drilling the dieblockbefore hardemng, which, drilling must be avoided if the drill holes are not possibly to be thrown out of their intended shapes and relative dispositions due to differential shrinkages of different parts of the die-block while cooling down from the hardening temperature. and yet to provide a die-block which `after hardening can be drilled to provide the required mounting holes. There is no such problem in-connection with the punch tool i3 as shown, since the punch pad lib is not hardened.

By the present invention, when applied to the punch pad part of the die unit which is thepunch tool I5, and to the die unit whichv incorporates the die-block i1, this punch pad anddie-block are drilled with the required mounting holes, under such control and with such accuracy that, assuming these die units to be intended for securement in a die-set like that shown in Fig. 4, they can be properly secured in that die-set easily and readily, and by any workman available.'

The mounting holes drilled in a die unit .i5

v or l1 are of the same character and the same relative spacing as holes in the mounting plate of the die-set 20 of Fig. fl which is designed to vtake that die unit. These two mounting plates lare marked '2| and 22, respectively; the lower the same size, and to' place the mounting holesof the punch pad and die-block as close to the corners thereof as possible, so as to reduce as much as possible the size of the punch pad and die-block. 1

Consequently, in Fig. 3, the mounting holes I1a in those parts of the die-block I1 constituted by the bronze plugs |8 will register with the mounting holes, not shown, in the punch pad lib. Also,

since the dowel elements 23 and 24 of the die-set of Figs. 3 and 4 are spaced so as `precisely to engage the mounting holeslin the two die units when the latter are -properly positioned inthe die-set, the representation of the mounting holes ila. of the die-block |1 in Fig. 3 can also be taken as not only representative of the mounting holes in the punch pad, but also as representative of the Adowel elements 23 and 24 of the die-set 20.'

The die-set 20 is shown as of conventionel type,

and as including two pillars or leader pins 25.

Each of the dowel elements 23 and 24 is here carried by a separate bolt. Each of these bolts, opposite its threaded end, is headed, and beyond the limits of the cylindrical part thereof presenting the dowel element, is threaded to take a clamp nut 26 or 21. In the case of the bolts-which carry the dowel elements 24, their threaded end por- 'tions are longer than the similar portions of the bolts which carry the dowel elements 23; this to allow for the mounting of a suitable stripper plate 28 `before the nuts 21 are tightenedl to clamp the die-block |1 in place on the dowel elements 24.

The head of each boltvwhich carries a dowel element 23 or 24 is cut to provide a key-way notch, and a pin 29, shaped to Ait tightly in this key-way, is driven therethrough and into the associated mounting plate 2| or 22to have a force t therein when the bolts are placed 'properly to set the .dowel elements; thereby to lock the dowel elements in place and also to prevent accidental turning thereof from any cause, even the application. of excessive tightening force to the nuts 26 and 21 in securing the die units in the die-set.

' Proceeding next to the composite device constituting the aforesaid master drill-jig and trialstroke die-set, the details of construction of a preferred embodiment thereof. a-r'e shown in Figs.

',Conveniently, also, each jig-plate can be of the land same outline. Consequently, reverting to Fig.. 3, wherein such an outline is indicated at 30a, .the representations' of the mounting holes ila in the die-blocks I1 in Fig. 3 can further be taken, not.

only as representations of the mounting holes in the punch pad of the punch tool I5, and as representations of the dowel` elements .23 and 24 of the die-set of Fig. 4, but also as representations of the drill-guiding openings through hardened bushings in both the jig-plates 30 and 3|. i y

These bushings, marked 32, are sho'wn as slip bushings, so that they can be used interchangeably in different permanent bushings 33, also of hard steel, fixed in both jig-plates, and so that, assumingl the bushing 32 is a drill bushing, and that a similar bushing for guiding a reamer is employed, such reamer bushing -can be substituted in any xed bushing 33 after a. drill bushing 32 has been removed from the fixed bushing'r following a use of the drill bushing for drilling a mounting hole through a die unit.

The plates 30 and 3| are telescopically coupled to allow of reciprocal movements of lplate 3B toward and away from the plate 3|, in perfect simulation of the reciprocations of the plate 2l of the die-set of Fig. 4 relative to the die-shoe 22 of that die-set. As here shown, the master drilljig is a pillar-type'trial-stroke die-set; .the plate 3| having anchored therein Athe lower ends of four posts or leader pins34, and the upper ends of these posts being precisely fitted within four sleeves 35 extending through and secured in the upper, plate 30. These posts are of. hardened steel, as are the sleeves- 35, in order to preserve inclenitely the initial setting of the parts, which is such as to insure that the plate 30 can always be parallelly and easily reclprocated toward and away from the plate 3|, and at the same time always to maintain the surfaces of the plates againstwhich the die units are secured absolutely parallel.

To avoid any chance that a chip of metal or the like will accidentally cant a die unit while in the master jig, the surfaces last-mentioned are interrupted ones. As shown in Figs. 9 and l0, said surfaces are carried by the flat outer ends of suitably spaced hard steel pads 36,l each mounted in place byan integral shank-like extension 36a held by forced fit in a suitable hole 31 drilled through a plate 30 or 3|.

Each of these pads is so shaped and located, as is most clearly shown in Figs. 6 and '7, that it will underlie a part of a die unit iwhere the latter is gripped by a clamp 38, associated with the upper plate 30v (Figs. 6 and 9) or a clamp 39, associated with. the lower plate 3| (Figs. 7

As shown, there'are four clamps 33, and the same number of clamps 39; all L-clamps. Each clamp 38 is tightened up by a separate boit 40, and each clamp 33 is tightened up by a separate The shanks of the bolts 40 are passed through untappedhole's in the plate 30, but their threads engage tapped holes in the clamps 38 (Fig. 9L The opposite arrangement is provided in connection with the plate 3|, the clamps 39 and the bolts 4|; that is, the Shanks of bolts 4| are passed through untapped holes inthe clamps 39, but their threads engage tapped holes in the plate 3| (Fig. 10).

The lower plate 3| is provided with two straight and perpendicularly related lines of pins 44, to establish a square corner into which the die-block can be forced preparatory to clamping the same immovably in place on the plate 3|.

In carrying out the method of the invention, so far as use of the illustrated master drill-jig is concerned, the procedure is preferably the following:

With the plates 30 and 3| spaced about as shown in Fig. 5, the die-block of Figs. 2 and 3 is clamped in the master drill-jig and to the plate 3|, by fully tightening the bolts 4| of the clamps 39, in the precise position predetermined for it by the levelling pads 36 and the locating pins 44 on that plate, that is, in a, positionsuch that the axes ofthe fixed bushings 33 in the plate 3| will be registered with about the centers .of the plugs I8 in the die-block.

Desirably, before the die-block |1 is inserted in the master drill-jig for securement therein as just above described, the die unitsl I5 and Il are brought together to insert the punch proper |5a of the unit I5 into the die opening of the die-block When the die units are thus nested before and during mounting of the dieblock I1, the plates 30 and 3| can be closer together than would otherwise be possible during mounting ofthe die unit I5. Also, if during the first clamping of the die unit I5 to the plate 3| the die units are nested, insurance is given that this first mounting of the die unit It will be such that the first operation of the drill-jig, when used as a trial-stroke die-set, will not chip or otherwise injure either die unit. In some cases,

it may be found desirable, preparatory to securei ment of the die unit I1 to the plate 3| and the first securement of the die unit i5 to the plate 30, not only to nest the die units, but to interpose shims in the 'die opening to centralize the die units as much as possible by the mere use of these shims while the die units are still out of the master drill-jig.

During the initial step of immovably securing the die-block in place on the plate 3|, there is plenty of room for tighteningup the bolts 4| for the clamps 39; as neither the ciampsf 33 nor their bolts 40 are yet required to be coupled to the plate 30. And there will be no diiiiculty in applying and tightening up the lastmentioned bolts and clamps, because, as already pointed out, the bolts 43 are sent down through, and tightened up t the upper surface of, the plate 3|). It will, in this same connection, be seen, most clearly from a comparison of Figs. 6 and 7, that while all the clamps engage the die units near their four corners. the clamps 33 a staggered relative to the clamps 33. y

As soon as the clamps 33 are thus tightened up, and to secure the die unit' I5 to the plate 33 in trial-stroke working relation to the die unit I1, the master drill-jig is ready to be used asia trial-stroke die-set.

As many trial-strokes as need be made to obtain final registration and alignment of the die units can be performed by the die-setter, merely by reciprocating the plate 30 toward and away from the plate 3|. The fit of thev posta 34 in the sleeves 35, providing a telescopic connection between the two plates, has in practice been made so nicely accurate, that raising ofthe plate 33 10 above the plate 3| in preparation for each trialstroke can be done by upward manual thrust. Any of the various methods of the die-setters art can be employed in ascertaining the direction and degree of misalignment exhibitedby any trial-stroke during the process of adjusting the 'die unit I5 on the plate 30 and relative to the die unit l1 immovably fixed on the plate 3|. Fbr instance, the paper-blank test can be employed; according to which a sheet of thin paper is laid over the die openingin the die-block just before a trial-stroke is performed, and this stroke is continued only far`enough to have the entirety of the upper edge of the die opening give a light indentation tothe paper sheet. The -relative depth and sharpness of different portions of such indentations is the index of the direction and degree of misalignment. Incidental to the bringing of the die units into nal alignment by these trial-strokes, shims can be employed and variously adjusted according to the `iudgment of the die-setter between successive trial-strokes. Also, as shown, the plates 30 and 3| can have their central portions omlttedto provide openings such as those at 42 and 43 in Figs. .6 and 7, and the sighting method of checking alignment between the die unitscan 4be employed, by directing one of said openings toward a light source, natural or artificial, and by Agazing through the other opening.

Guided by the direction and degree of .mis-

alignment noted following a trial-stroke, the die unit I5 is :logged ontits plate 30 in a direction and to a degree judged by the die-setter to be necessary to compensate for the direction vand degree of misalignment noted. This jogging can be accomplished in any suitable way. In the present case, the grip on the punch pad lib between the clamps 33 and the associated levelling pads 36 on the plate 30 is such that the clamps can be so partially tightened as to hold the punch pad against accidental shift in any setting of the pad on the plate, yetto allow the pad to be moved to a slightly different setting bytapping it more or less lightly at a proper` point` therearound; or the clamps can be untightened a little just before each such jogging and then tightened up again just before the next trial-stroke.

When, finally, the die-setter is satisfied that he has secured perfect alignment, as by a nal checking trial-stroke, the punch tool l5 is immovably secured in place on the plate 33, by full tightening up of the clamps 33.

The telescopic master drill-jig, up to this point.

employed as atrial-stroke die-set, is from now on employed as such jig. Preferably, first the mounting holes in one die unit are drilled, and

then the mounting holes in the other die unit` of any' alcanza plate 33 the eilective jig-plate; the direction of drilling and-reaming being thatindicated by the two arrows. At its four corners, the plate 3| is provided with feet 3| the bottoms of which are ground'at and ilush with eachother and perpendicular to the center lines -of the mounting holes to be drilled in both die units. This insures that with these feet resting on the table of the drill press, anylcutting through the die unit I5 of adrilling or reaming tool in the drill press, as that tool is guided through the proper slip bushing then in in one of the fixed bushings 33 of the plate 30, will be precisely as predeter- During the operations described in the preceding paragraph, the plate 30 can be spaced at a f suitable distance above the plate I1, by inserting,

as shown in Fig. 11, identical spacing bars 45,

of some suitable material, as cold rolled steel.

When all the mounting holes for the die unit I5 have been drilled and reamed, the plate 30 is slightly elevated to permit the spacing bars l5 to be slipped out, and then the master drilljig is inverted as in Fig. l2. With the plate 3| now the effective jig-plate, the direction of drilling and reaming is that indicated by the two arrows shown in this view. 'I'he tops of the posts 34, now lowermost, are ground so 'that they all lie in' a plane perpendicular to the center lines of the mounting'holes to be drilled in the dieblockA l1; and the now lowermost surfaces of the four corner bosses 30'? on the plate 30 are ground flat and iiush with each other and also perpendicular to said center lines. This insures that with these posts and bosses resting on the. table of the drill press, any cutting through the die unit l1 by a drilling or reaming tool in the drill press, as that tool is guided through a slip bushf' When such tool is a drill, a slip bushing 32 will be employed, and when such tool is a reamer, a substitute slip bushing hereinabove referred to will be employed. v

' Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of this invention, and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

I claim:

l. 'I'he method of making die units for use with any one of a plurality of die-sets each having mountingA holes ofthe same character and relativepositions, which consists in securing one 'die unit in predetermined position on a master jig; locating the complementary die unit on the master jig in working relation to the rst die unit while the two units are nested in said relation; reciprocating the units to and from operating positions; movably adjusting the second 'die unit into final working alignment with the rst die unit if necessary after reciprocating one unit toward and from operating position to test for alignment; fixing said die units against movement relative to each other at an yangle to their working stroke; and drilling mounting holes in said die units through guide holes in the jig located in positions correspondingwith cooperating mounting holes in any one of the plurality of die-sets with .which said die units are to be used. f, u'

2. The method of making die units for use with any one of a plurality of die-sets each having mounting holes of the Same character and relative positions, which consists in securing one4 die unit-in predeterminedposition on a master jig; locating the complementary die unit on the master jig in working relation to the first die 1` unit/bringing the two units together in said relation and reciprocating them to and from operating position; movably adjusting the second die unit into nal working alignment with the first die unit if necessary after reciprocating one unit toward and from operating vposition to ,testfor alignment; fixing said die units against movement relative to each other at an angle to their working stroke; and drilling mounting holes in said die units through guide holes in the jig located in positions corresponding with cooperating mounting holes in any one of the plurality of die-sets with which saiddie units are to be used.

3. The method of making die units for use with any one of a plurality of die-sets each having mounting holes of the same character and relative positions; which consists in securing a Vdieblock in a predetermined position on. a master jig;.locating a punch tool on the master jig in working relation to the die-block while the two :holes in the jig located in position corresponding with cooperating mounting holes in any one of 35 .the plurality of die-sets with which said die units areto be used.

4. The method of givingA spaced mounting,

holes to die unitsfor use with die-sets having similarly spaced 4mounting holes in vvany one of said die-sets, which consists in locating one vdie unit in predetermined position on'a master jig; introducing the male die unit into the other die unit; securing the die unit other than the one f first-mentioned to said jig to insure that a relativel reciprocation of the two units must always be 1n the same direction as an actual working stroke thereof but to permit jogging of the.die

unit relative to the other die unit, and if necessary jogging the joggable die unit alternately with said testing reciprocations; clamping the joggable die unit against further jogging; and drilling said die units vthrough holes in' the jig similarly spaced to the holes in any one of the plurality of the die-sets with which said die units are to be used. y

5. The method of giving spaced mounting holes to die units for use with die-sets having similarly spaced mounting holes in any one of said die-sets, which consists in locating the dieblock of a die unit in predetermined position on; a master jig; introducing the corresponding punch tool of the die unit into said die-block; securing the die-block to said jig to insure that a relative reciprocation of the two units must always be in the same direction as an actual working stroke. thereof but to permit adjustment with said testing reciprocations;

ment; and 'said .die units through holes in the jig similarly spaced to the holesin any one of the plurality of the die-sets with which said die units are to be used.

6. A combined drill-jig and tryout die-se comprising, in combination, a mounting plate s for a die unit; means tor clamping the die unit holes in that mounting plate of said die-set appointed to mount the unit last-mentioned; and means partially carriedv by the two mounting plates for permitting one Aof these plates to be reciprocated toward and away from the other to bring the two die units into and out of working relation.

7. A combined drill-jig and tryout die-,set comprising, in combination, a mounting plate, means for clamping a die-block to the mounting plate, said mounting plate having holes there- 'through corresponding to the mounting holes in the die-shoe oi' a die-set; a mounting plate for a punch tool: means for variably clamping the punch tool to said plate, said plate having holes therethrough corresponding .to the mounting holes in the punch tool mounting plate of a dieset; and means partially carried by each mounting plate for permitting one of these plates to be reciprocated toward and away from the other, as in a die-set, thereby to permit` movements of the punch tool into and out of the die-block alternately with readjustments of the punch tool on its mounting plate, before employing the device as a drill-jig for drilling holes through the die units corresponding to the .mounting holes in the mounting plates oi' said die-set.

8. A drill-jig comprising an upper jig-plate and a lower jig-plate; telescopic connecting.

- its working stroke while maintaining the two die aisance t y units in the same working relation as in a die-set l except for alignment, and said means being operable to ilx the punch tool against movement Alaterally of its working stroke when the two die units have been aligned as the result of variations in adjustment of the punch tool on the lower plate.

9. A drill-jig comprising two jig-plates; telescopic connecting means between the plates for permitting movement of one plate toward and.

away from the other; means for securing one of two complementary die units in a predetermined position on one of the plates and to face the other plate; and means for securing the other of said die units on the other plate to face the plate carrying the ilrst-mentioned d ie unit, the means last-mentioned'being variable to permit the second-mentioned die unit to be adjusted laterally of its working stroke while maintaining the two die units in th'e same working relation as in a die-set except for alignment,'and said means being operable to ilx the second-mentioned die unit when the two die units have been aligned as the result of variations in the adjustment of the second-mentioned die unit.

10. A device for locating and drilling the mounting holes lor a die unit, comprising a combined drill-jig and carrier for said unit; means for ilxing the complementary die unit in the device; means for adjusting the mst-mentioned unit on its carrier and toward alignment with the fixed unit, and means for giving one `die unit trial working strokes relative to the other so that o n entry of one unit into the other during such a stroke centralization of the units can be checked and corrected by'said adjusting means, before employing the drill-jig as such.

11. A device for locating and drilling the mounting holes for a die unit, comprising a comfor fixing the complementary die unit in the device; means for adjusting the mst-mentioned a stroke centralization of the units can be l0 checked and corrected by said adjusting means before employing the 4llrill-jig as such.

oscila KNEBEL 

